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Madison County grants Town of Ennis utility crossing variance for Golf Course Drive with five-year warranty
Summary
After a public hearing with Great West Engineering and Town of Ennis officials, the Madison County Commission approved a utility/ROW variance for Golf Course Drive, requiring a five-year warranty; commissioners had asked about contractor availability, cost differences between jack-and-bore and open-cut methods, and underground fiber infrastructure.
The Madison County Board of Commissioners heard public comment and engineering explanations July 14 before approving a utility crossing variance for Golf Course Drive in the Town of Ennis.
Representatives from Great West Engineering—Collette Anderson and Jesse Novak—participated by Webex and discussed cost differences between jack-and-bore and open-cut construction methods and delays in securing a jack-and-bore contractor. Commissioner William A. Todd pressed engineers on locating the existing water main, warranty terms and costs for trenching and flood fill. Lisa Roberts, Mayor of the Town of Ennis, told the board that "along the northern side of Gorest Drive, there exists substantial underground fiber optic infrastructure, complemented by a recently installed fence by the rodeo association," and noted potential property value implications for homeowners.
A motion to deny the variance failed for lack of a second. Commissioner Duke W. Gilman moved to grant the Town of Ennis the Golf Course Drive Utility Crossing Utility/ROW Variance Request contingent on a five-year warranty for the work; Commissioner Todd seconded and the motion passed unanimously. The board then approved the Town of Ennis permit request for the crossing.
Why it matters: the variance allows utility installation across a county right-of-way with warranty protections intended to cover workmanship and related surface repairs; the presence of underground fiber and local infrastructure increases the complexity and risk profile of the work.
